Council Tax

1
Council Tax

• What is Council Tax?
• A Tax on property (houses/flats etc)
• Used to pay for public services such as the
  Police and Fire Service
• How much is it?
• Depends on the on the value of the property you
  live in
• Do I have to pay?
• No All full time students are exempt from
  paying Council Tax

2
Council Tax

• If you live
• In University Halls of Residence, you will be
  exempt
• In Privately rented property and all the people
  you live with are students you will be exempt,
  but all will need to register with the Local
  Council
• If you live
• In Newcastle - register with Newcastle Council
  using the online link in the eLearning Portal (My
  Record Tab)
• Outside Newcastle - need a Council Tax exemption
  letter from your School Office which you should
  take to your local council
• If you live with a non-student, the non-student
  has to pay Council Tax, but you must still
  register to be exempt.

3
TV Licenses, Students and the Law

• If you have a TV in your accommodation, you will
  need a TV licence to watch or record TV
  programmes
• (includes terrestrial, satellite, cable,
  digital, DVD, VCR or PC)
• Do I need my own TV licence?
• If you live in University Halls and use a TV in
  your own room
• If you share a house with others but have a
  separate tenancy agreement and use a TV in your
  own room.
• When do I need a shared TV licence?
• If you have a separate tenancy agreement, but a
  TV is only being watched in a shared area
• If you are sharing a house and have a joint
  tenancy agreement with other students and you use
  a TV in your own room

4
TV Licenses, Students and the Law

• When do I do not need a TV licence?
• If you are living in University Halls of
  Residence and you are watching TV in a shared
  area, you will be covered by the Halls TV
  licence
• Please note Anyone watching a TV without a
  licence risks a fine of up to 1000
• How much does it cost?
• A colour TV licence currently costs 139.50

5
TV Licenses, Students and the Law

• How can I buy a licence?
• Can buy online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk
• On the phone on 0870 241 6468
• By post - address available on website
• TV Licence refunds
• If you are not staying at University over the
  summer and dont need the final 3 months of your
  licence, you can apply for a refund for that
  period
• Refund would be 34.88
• Make sure to get your licence by the end of
  October to qualify for refund at the end of the
  academic year
• To apply, call, 0870 241 6468

6
Gas Electricity

• If you live in privately rented accommodation
• Gas and electricity and Electricity not included
  in price of rent
• Charged separately for these.
• When you move in
• Take a reading from the gas and electric meters
  and let energy provider know
• If you need to find out who your provider is,
  call 0845 601 3268
• The existing provider will continue unless you
  want to change
• For advice on energy providers
• www.energywatch.org.uk for advice and /or
  complaints about your energy provider
• To change energy provider
• Find a new provider and they will arrange
  changeover for you
• Payment
• Online, Direct Debit, phone, at Paypoint or Post
  Office.